Chapter 60: The Soul-Devouring Carving Knife, Electrolux
"Ladies and gentlemen, our final auction item for tonight is about to take the stage."
The auctioneer's voice rang clear. "As everyone knows, for soul engineers, soul guidance devices are undeniably important. Yet, a carving knife capable of drastically enhancing a soul engineer's craft can be considered a true supreme treasure."
The atmosphere below immediately turned heated. He Caitou from Shrek, leaned forward, eager to see what lay under the red cloth. Even Xiao Hongchen and the others could barely conceal their anticipation. Judging from the setup, this item could only be one of the famed Ranking Carving Knives.
The auctioneer cast a subtle glance toward Huo Yuhao and his group, a smile tugging at her lips.
"That's right," she said. "What stands before you is the dream of all soul engineers—a Ranking Carving Knife, listed among the top hundred of the Continental Carving Knife Rankings!"
With the red cloth whisked away, countless people below couldn't help but rise to their feet.
"A Ranking Carving Knife! It's really a Ranking Carving Knife! How could such a treasure appear at an auction of this level?"
"Hahaha! Coming here tonight was worth it after all. Truly eye-opening!"
Even Wang Yan, the Shrek instructor, stood up, beads of sweat trickling down his forehead. Ranking Carving Knives are so rare that even Shrek Academy possesses only two.
"Come on, stop keeping us in suspense!"
"Yeah! No matter how many gold soul coins it costs today, I'll have it!"
But the auctioneer raised her hand, introducing the knife in detail. When she mentioned that this carving knife had already claimed the lives of thirty-seven of its former owners, the previously fervent hall instantly fell silent.
"That's right," the auctioneer confirmed. "This is none other than the Soul-Devouring Carving Knife. Starting bid: one hundred thousand gold soul coins!"
Whispers erupted across the venue.
"So it's that cursed knife… who would buy such a thing? Do they have a death wish?"
"I knew it! How could a mere fourth-tier auction house produce something like a Ranking Carving Knife? Of course—it's the Soul-Devouring Knife."
Wang Yan glanced at He Caitou, who quickly shook his head. "Teacher already said—this knife devours its owner. Anyone who possesses it dies tragically. I don't want it!"
Wang Yan calmed down as well. Though it had some research value, spending one hundred thousand gold coins wasn't worth the risk—especially after the team had already purchased several soul guidance devices for the reserve squad. Their funds were limited.
The auctioneer looked around. Not a single bid. She sighed inwardly—clearly, the princess's instructions had been unrealistic. Even the nobles, ignorant as they were, had no interest in courting disaster.
Just as she was about to announce the item unsold, a calm voice broke the silence.
"One hundred thousand gold soul coins."
It was Huo Yuhao.
Everyone from Shrek was stunned. He Caitou's eyes went wide.
"That guy… doesn't he know how dangerous this knife is? He actually bought it!"
"What's going on?"
All eyes immediately shifted to their corner.
"People from the Sun Moon Empire… could this knife hold some secret we don't know?"
"No way. The Sun Moon people aren't idiots…"
A few bold spiritual-type soul masters attempted to probe the knife, only to pay the ultimate price. The weak ones collapsed dead on the spot, without even time to scream.
"Sold!"
The auctioneer brought her gavel down with relief. The princess's task was completed, and the cursed knife had landed exactly where she wanted it—into the hands of the Sun Moon Empire. As for the fools who died attempting to probe it, no one cared.
"Yuhao, why?" Meng Hongchen asked worriedly. "Even from this distance, I can feel the ominous aura radiating from that knife. Why would you buy it?"
"Trust me," Huo Yuhao replied with quiet confidence. "I have a way to dispel the curse. These people simply don't understand its true worth."
Xiao Hongchen nodded slowly. "I believe you, Yuhao."
"Idiot brother, that's my line," Meng Hongchen pouted.
"It's the same, Meng," Xiao Hongchen said softly.
At that moment, deep within Huo Yuhao's spiritual sea, a hoarse voice finally spoke.
"You're not wrong, Yuhao. This carving knife is forged from Life Gold, a supreme treasure. With it, I no longer need to fear my final strand of divine sense fading away."
"Rest assured. Now that it is in our possession, I will help you resolve the problem tied to it."
Before Yuhao could answer, Tianmeng Iceworm and the Ice Empress both shouted in alarm.
"Hey, old man, you finally speak! Who are you really? Why have you been lurking inside Yuhao's spiritual sea?"
"Hmph! You'd better not have any bad intentions. Otherwise, this Empress will show you true terror!" The Ice Empress' tone was icy cold. She had known about the gray sphere within Yuhao's spirit sea ever since Tianmeng mentioned it during her sacrifice, but she had stayed silent until now.
Electrolux was silent for a long moment before finally replying.
"My past… I would rather not recall. But I still remember a name I once bore. I am the Death God of Necromancy, Scourge of the Undead—Electrolux."
The grandiose title didn't impress Tianmeng one bit. Thinking of the time he had been tricked by this old ghost only made him angrier.
"I don't care what you call yourself, old man! Get out of my territory! Do you even know who I am? I'm a million-year-old soul beast. Dare to fight me for space?"
Electrolux's rasping voice carried amusement.
"Little worm, don't be so arrogant. And you, little scorpion—I hold no malice. Otherwise, you would already be fertilizer."
That single sentence almost made Tianmeng explode with rage.
"Fart! Don't think I don't know—you're just a fragment of divine sense. Who turns into fertilizer is still uncertain!"
The Ice Empress' cold gaze locked onto him, ready to strike.
"Enough. I've no time to quarrel with you two," Electrolux said dismissively. "Settle down, worm and scorpion. My divine sense is leagues beyond yours. If you really had the guts, you'd have attacked me already. Don't bluster."
Then he turned to Huo Yuhao.
"Yuhao, I've been watching you all this time. By chance, my remnant sense drifted into this world. My memories are shattered, but with this carving knife forged of Life Gold, I can recover. When that time comes, like these two, I will reside in your spiritual sea."
"You are impressive, child. Talent, temperament, and heart—you have them all. Even hatred hasn't blinded you. When I recover, I will grant you a great gift."
His voice grew faint and unstable, but before fading completely, he left behind one final declaration:
"Oh yes… I remember one phrase: Hand grasping sun and moon, plucking stars from the sky—none in this world are like me! Hahaha!"
Tianmeng bristled, clutching the Ice Empress' arm.
"That old bastard! Ignoring me? Bing Bing, let me at him—I'll beat him senseless!"
The Ice Empress coolly pulled away. "Go ahead. I'd love to see it."
Instantly, Tianmeng deflated, chuckling nervously. "Eh-heh… never mind. He's just an old fossil. Not worth my time."
"Coward," Ice Empress spat.
"Ah, the way you scold me, Bing Bing… sounds so sweet. I love it~"
"Scram!"
—
End of Chapter